Does anyone in the community eat a low histamine diet?

[LJSDesigns]

Since my last Mast Cell flare up, my body's histamine level has remained super high, which means that everything I eat that has any histamine in it, and everything has some level of histamine in it, has overloaded my system causing various reactions from edema, hives, brain fog, stomach issues, anxiety, etc. Frankly, every time I eat something, I get sick in some fashion and I am always sick in the morning because the medicines are at their lowest levels. Once I take the medicines, I do start feeling better, but getting my day started is hell and I never feel good, just better than the morning hell.

I have gone to the doctor but she has very little to offer me except that I need to reduce my histamine level. I am taking anti histamines and other medicines/supplements that are supposed to reduce the histamine, but to be honest, I think they are reducing the symptoms, not the actual histamine level, which is why my mornings are so awful.

I spoke to my DIL who is an NP and she has said that I need to control my histamine level through my diet and suggests the elimination diet for at least 2 to 4 weeks. basically chicken and rice, and then a low histamine diet going forward where my mantra should be fresh is best. Maybe this should be really simple, but in my current state, it is just so overwhelming.

Chicken and rice should be simple, bit it doesn't feel that way because Histamine is tricky. It is in everything you eat and the amount is not static, instead it is influenced greatly by the way food is prepped, thawed, stored, etc, so the information regarding a low histamine diet, recipes, etc feels just as tricky right now. How I make this chicken and rice is going to matter, a lot.

I know in the end, how I feel and what I can safely eat, will be determined by how my body responds to things, but I feel so overwhelmed by everything, I thought it worth asking if anyone here follows a low histamine diet and can offer any advice or guidence. Of if anyone has a tried and true low histamine recipe that they enjoy and would recommend. I think I just need someone to point me at something and say, there do that, so that my mind can just take a break and stop overthinking everything.

 

[Romajo]

When I worked at an Allergy Centre (like 15 years ago) there was also a dietitian once per week.
I know she had a leaflet with foods to avoid, because those could cause a flare-up of the symptoms.
Of course this was more geared towards allergies and not everybody is in the same situation (same sorts of hay fever have a cross-contamination with apples for example, while others can eat an apple without a flare-up).
For those with more allergies and/or worse symptoms, she would provide a more strict diet. One of the things was going back to just a few basic foods (like the rice and chicken you already mentioned) and then you can add one other food for a few days to see how you react.
I'm sure if you use Google you can find the list with things with high histamine levels you should avoid (I know pineapple and tomatoes are on this list, but there are many more).
Here's a list I just found:

Hope this helps you get started.
Also, try to avoid pre made sauces or other pre made products. And if you look at this list and you know you have allergies, of course you have to avoid those as well (I mean, eggs and grains might be a trigger for you as well. And if you have an allergy to some trees, apples are causing problems as well).
Good luck, hope you can find a way to eliminate those things that are triggers for you and than slowly add some more to your diet to make eating fun again.

 

[LJSDesigns]

Thank you for the list.

 

[AmieN1]

Have you talked to your doctor or has anyone ever recommended Xolair (omalizumab)? It's a biologic histamine blocker and it's the ONLY thing that keeps my hives away (mostly, sometimes the start back just when I'm due for my next injection, but nowhere near the level of prior to xolair.) It single handedly has changed my life. I've been doing every 4 week injections for 3 years now. I'm not sure, but I do think it's off-label use for MCAS.

My dr did also recommend low histamine diet- but man, you're right- everything seems to be on the no list. Tomatoes I remember were a really bad one (and dr's don't even really know why) and ANYTHING fermented.

This study was particularly for chronic idopathic hives- but generally it's the histamines that are the problem-

 

[LJSDesigns]

No, it has not been recommended, but I will bring it up with my doctor at my next appointment.

 

[KristinCB]

At this point in time I really thought we'd be living like the Jetsons and able to eat in pill form. (i've probably said this more than once in various threads lol) It would be especially helpful for those who are dealing with chronic health issues and unable to eat without fear, I hope you're able to find something to help you.

 

[LJSDesigns]

I lost power two days ago, it just came back on, so I spent that time reading some introductory books on MCA and Histamine intolerance and learned a lot. It is tough because histamine is not static. It's in everything you eat and it can increase based on the way you cook it, store it, thaw it, etc. Eating a low histamine diet will be a life changer, but I can't go on being sick all the time, so I am going to do my best to embrace this new normal of mine.

 

[bcgal00]

Diets that eliminate lots of foods are tough to follow but its worth it if you start to feel better. Hope you are able to make some changes and improve.

For me, its inflammation (OA, degenerative disc disease and stenosis) so I try hard to eat an anti-inflammatory diet which is a bit different than the anti-histamine diet but similar in that it eliminates many foods from the standard American diet.

I came across this site for you which looks like it has some yummy recipes.

Healthy & Low Histamine Recipes - Through The Fibro Fog

Simple but delicious low histamine recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They may be low in histamine, but are high in taste!

www.throughthefibrofog.com

 

[LJSDesigns]

Diets that eliminate lots of foods are tough to follow but its worth it if you start to feel better. Hope you are able to make some changes and improve.

For me, its inflammation (OA, degenerative disc disease and stenosis) so I try hard to eat an anti-inflammatory diet which is a bit different than the anti-histamine diet but similar in that it eliminates many foods from the standard American diet.

I came across this site for you which looks like it has some yummy recipes.

Healthy & Low Histamine Recipes - Through The Fibro Fog

Simple but delicious low histamine recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They may be low in histamine, but are high in taste!

www.throughthefibrofog.com

Thank you for the link, I have already become well acquainted with this site. An elimination diet is hard, but with my body being crazy, I have to do what I can to control it. What really gets me is when I feel like I have done everything right and then have a flare up. Trying to figure out why is hard and so frustrating.

 

[anneofalamo]

Diets that eliminate lots of foods are tough to follow but its worth it if you start to feel better.

Going gluten-free has been a huge physical and mental help for me, but oh, is it tough. I have found that I must cook my own food. I have been off gluten for over 2 months with my Anne-style high-protein, low-carb, give me the berries Keto regime. My husband brought home chile' rellanos yesterday as a surprise; egg-covered, cheese-stuffed chiles! I devoured them, only to feel my tummy swell, fingers a bit stiff. Sure enough, they dredged the chile's in flour before dipping them in egg.
Live and learn, then pull out my cast-iron skillet and make my own. ♥